Emperor-level Security or Star Privilege? The Real Issue Is 'Homma People' [K-Star Departure Wars ②]

Fans, Homma, and Passengers Collide at the Departure Hall
Chaos in Korea... Strict Management Overseas
Who Is Responsible for the Breakdown of Airport Safety?

Editor's NoteK-culture has now grown beyond a simple trend to become a full-fledged industry. The departure of a star is no longer a private matter, but a 'public event' and a part of cultural content for the general public. However, the chaotic scenes of send-offs at airports are a dark shadow hidden behind the bright side of the industry. This series begins with the question: "How can the expansion of culture and public safety coexist?" Amid the complex factors of fandom culture's autonomy, the public's right to mobility, and the operational efficiency of airports, to what extent should policy intervene, and how should it do so? Through real-life case studies, the responses of relevant agencies, and comparisons of domestic and international policies, we aim to explore both the direction of airport safety management and the sustainability of fan culture in the era of K-culture.

Travelers who visited Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 last January are lining up to move to the boarding concourse. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

"Please move aside." "Fans, step back, you could get hurt!"

Departure hall at Incheon International Airport. The moment a star appears, fans, reporters, and so-called 'homma' (homepage masters) all rush in at once. Managers push fans aside to secure a passage, while security guards shout loudly to clear the way. There have even been dangerous moments when regular passengers were nearly knocked over. Such chaotic scenes at the departure hall are no longer unfamiliar.

An airport staff member who witnessed star A's departure last month recalled, "The airport has turned into a concert venue." Although the airport is a 'Class A' security facility designated by the government, it is increasingly becoming a blind spot for public order when stars depart.

A manager from a major entertainment agency, who recently traveled to Japan, confessed, "There's nothing we can do except block with our bodies." In situations where fans and homma surround and crowd the star, it is difficult for security guards and managers to protect the star without physical contact. He added, "We know about the 'no touch' principle, but in reality, there is a huge gap between ideals and what actually happens." He also said, "It's almost impossible to control the crowd that gathers at the airport. No matter how many times we tell them to step back, they don't budge, and even if fans are pushed just a little, they claim 'I was touched' or 'I was assaulted' and threaten to report us, making it very hard to respond."

Fans who quietly support their stars actually complain of unfairness. Yoon Jiyeon (23), who recently attended the departure of a popular idol group, said, "Most fans try to follow the rules, but the homma, who are there for commercial purposes, make the situation chaotic."

Homma sell airport photos of stars at high prices or turn them into merchandise for profit. Especially in the case of rookie groups, photos are taken more aggressively to gauge future earning potential. A representative from a major entertainment agency claimed, "More than half of recent accidents at the departure hall are related to homma."

It has also become common for regular passengers moving to board their flights to be jostled by crowds or blocked from reaching their departure gates on time. Recently, posts have spread on social media saying, "It's good to protect stars, but regular passengers should be considered first," gaining widespread sympathy.

It is clearly an act of assault for private security guards to push regular passengers in public places. After last year's controversy over excessive security for actor Byun Wooseok, Incheon International Airport Corporation filed a complaint against the private security company for violating the Aviation Security Act. The responsibility for maintaining order within the airport lies solely with airport security personnel and the airport police, and it exceeds legal boundaries for private security guards to restrain passengers under the pretext of 'securing a passage.'

Major airports overseas maintain order during celebrity departures while strictly limiting the authority of private security guards. At Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in the United States, a separate private terminal called 'PS (The Private Suite)' is operated. VIPs and celebrities are thoroughly separated from regular passengers, and contact with fans is blocked entirely through separate security checks and vehicle transport procedures. The United States, through the Federal Aviation Security Regulations (49 CFR Part 1542), grants the authority to maintain order in airports only to security personnel and police, and defines physical restraint by private security guards as illegal.

Japan's Narita and Haneda airports require a minimum distance of 50 meters between celebrities and fans, and security personnel intervene immediately to control the situation if this rule is violated. London's Heathrow Airport separates the movement paths of stars and regular passengers through VIP service areas, while Charles de Gaulle Airport in France provides separate entrances or cooperates with airport police to minimize fan access. In some countries, there are strict penalties such as immediate arrest or fines for unauthorized access or disruptive behavior in airports.

The quality of cultural content is completed on the foundation of public order. Some argue that the 'beneficiary pays principle' is necessary to sustain a high-quality industry. Professor Lee Yunho of Dongguk University's College of Police and Criminal Justice emphasized, "Private security guards have no authority to restrict the physical freedom of third parties at airports. In principle, public order should be maintained by the airport police or security personnel." He continued, "It could be considered preferential treatment for a celebrity, who is not a public official, to use a fast track. Since the issue arises in the process of traveling overseas for commercial activities, they should bear the appropriate costs and use the exclusive routes and entrances secured in this way."

He also added, "The airport should use these costs to cover the expenses for maintaining order or to compensate for the inconvenience caused to ordinary citizens. While the influx of fans is a problem, it is important to recognize that the airport is responsible for accidents and must maintain safety."